Child Contact Centres Book 2017 Final
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<strong>Child</strong> <strong>Contact</strong> <strong>Centres</strong><br />
a guide for children and families<br />
AVENUE
About Us<br />
AVENUE is the leading provider of Mediation, Counselling and<br />
<strong>Child</strong> <strong>Contact</strong> Services in Northeast Scotland. We work with<br />
everyone from children to grandparents and can support you<br />
and your family through times of change and transition.<br />
Over the years AVENUE has helped hundreds of children<br />
re-establish and maintain relationships with parents and<br />
extended family. For children, contact can be conflicting;<br />
happy and sad, anxious and exciting, worrying and reassuring,<br />
all at the same time. Our experience has shown us that<br />
children cope better when you help us to help your child.<br />
About Our <strong>Centres</strong><br />
Our <strong>Centres</strong> are situated in Aberdeen, Peterhead, Fraserburgh,<br />
Banff, Turriff, Huntly, and Elgin and staffed by a team of trained<br />
workers.<br />
We provide a welcoming place to support regular contact<br />
between parents and children who no longer live together.<br />
Siblings and extended family can also use the <strong>Contact</strong> <strong>Centres</strong>.<br />
Our workers maintain impartiality and don’t get involved<br />
in issues of conflict or communication, for example passing<br />
messages between family members.<br />
Play materials, games and toys are provided. At centres<br />
where there is a garden, it is assumed that children will play<br />
outdoors, weather permitting.<br />
Pre-<strong>Contact</strong> Visit<br />
It is important to understand AVENUE’s role in the contact<br />
process and each adult will attend a pre contact meeting to<br />
discuss AVENUE’S policies and guidelines. You will also have<br />
the opportunity to address any queries or concerns.<br />
<strong>Child</strong>ren also attend a pre-contact visit to help familiarise<br />
themselves with the centre and address any questions.<br />
Your <strong>Contact</strong> Plan<br />
Following the pre-contact visits, we will provide you with a<br />
contact plan, detailing …<br />
f f Roles and Responsibilities<br />
f f Parental Goals<br />
f f Support Strategies<br />
f f Review Arrangements
Handover<br />
The contact workers will greet you at the reception area of<br />
the contact centre and will escort your child to the contact<br />
room.<br />
Preparing <strong>Child</strong>ren for <strong>Contact</strong><br />
Your child will cope better when you fully co-operate<br />
throughout the contact process, for example...<br />
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Remind them of where they are going, who they will see<br />
and what will happen. Be positive.<br />
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Use language they can understand - plain, simple words<br />
are best. Refer to Going to a <strong>Contact</strong> Centre book to help<br />
your child.<br />
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Try not to be critical of the other parent or family<br />
members.<br />
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Encouraging children to take sides is harmful. It’s<br />
important you give your child permission to enjoy<br />
contact.<br />
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Give your child positive reinforcement and avoid<br />
interrogating them after the visit.<br />
<strong>Child</strong>ren may find this period of transition difficult. We expect<br />
you to be positive and encouraging to help promote an easy<br />
transition to contact.<br />
Parents and Guardians are advised, for health and safety<br />
reasons that workers may be required to aid children. This<br />
may include taking a child’s hand or, in the case of young<br />
children, carrying them between reception and contact areas.<br />
Bringing <strong>Child</strong>ren to a <strong>Contact</strong> Centre<br />
It’s important that you and your children arrive at the time<br />
specified by the <strong>Contact</strong> Centre Organiser.<br />
As waiting facilities are limited, we cannot accommodate<br />
additional family members or friends.<br />
During the first contact session, you are welcome to remain<br />
in our waiting room. Following this, you will be expected to<br />
leave and return at scheduled times.<br />
At the end of the contact session you will be advised when it’s<br />
appropriate to leave.
Coming to See <strong>Child</strong>ren<br />
at a <strong>Contact</strong> Centre<br />
Ensure you arrive 15 minutes before your session begins.<br />
As waiting facilities are limited, we cannot accommodate<br />
additional family members or friends.<br />
Throughout the contact, you are responsible for the<br />
supervision of your child. At the end of the contact session<br />
you will be advised when it’s appropriate to leave.<br />
Preparing for <strong>Contact</strong><br />
Your children will have visited the <strong>Contact</strong> Centre prior to<br />
your first session. But please remember, contact can be<br />
conflicting for children. They may feel happy and sad, anxious<br />
and excited, all at the same time.<br />
We understand how challenging this can be, but try to remain<br />
positive and reassuring. Our workers are there to support<br />
you and your children.<br />
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ff<br />
Think about what you could bring to the <strong>Contact</strong> Session.<br />
Family photographs, a favourite toy or game can be fun<br />
activities and provide a point of focus.<br />
Give your children space to come to you when they are<br />
ready as they may feel shy or awkward initially.<br />
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During the visit, be flexible; allow your child to choose the<br />
activities, follow their lead and join in.<br />
Be mindful of the topics you discuss throughout the<br />
sessions. <strong>Child</strong>ren may become confused and uncertain<br />
about adult issues they don’t understand.<br />
When it’s time to go, you may feel emotional<br />
which is understandable. However, try not to upset<br />
your child as they need to know you are okay.<br />
This is a good time for a hug if your child wants one, then<br />
a quick, positive goodbye.<br />
After your session, give yourself time to reflect and plan<br />
ahead; what did your children enjoy, would you like<br />
to bring something to the next session. If you made<br />
promises, please remember to keep them.
AVENUE Policies<br />
Our <strong>Contact</strong> Centre staff work hard to provide a professional<br />
service to you and your family and deserve to be respected.<br />
Disregard for our staff or policies may result in withdrawing<br />
the service.<br />
Zero Tolerance<br />
AVENUE has a Zero Tolerance Policy for dealing with incidents<br />
of inappropriate behaviour against workers.<br />
Electronic Equipment<br />
These guidelines are intended to protect children and client<br />
confidentiality.<br />
Video and Sound Recording<br />
The use of video or recording equipment, including digital<br />
cameras and mobile phones is not permitted.<br />
Mobile Phones and Electronic Equipment<br />
The policy applies to all and alleged incidents of harassment,<br />
intimidation or violence.<br />
Alcohol and Drugs<br />
If any client appears under the influence of alcohol or drugs,<br />
immediate action will be taken and the service will be<br />
withdrawn.<br />
No Smacking<br />
AVENUE operate a ‘no smacking’ policy, in accordance with<br />
Article 19 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the <strong>Child</strong>.<br />
Any incidents will be reported to the appropriate agency<br />
and the service withdrawn.<br />
Mobile phones are not to be used during contact sessions,<br />
including texts, video calls and games. However, they may be<br />
used to take photographs if agreed with the <strong>Contact</strong> Worker.<br />
Tablets or other electronic game devices are permitted but<br />
should not be the focus of the contact session.<br />
The contact adult is responsible for age appropriate usage<br />
and AVENUE reserve the right to monitor this.
Taking Photos<br />
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Parents are required to notify the <strong>Contact</strong> Worker if they<br />
wish to photograph their child.<br />
Parents are permitted to take photographs of their child,<br />
unless a Court Order, information from a solicitor or a<br />
social worker precludes this.<br />
Gifts<br />
Taking pictures of other children is not permitted.<br />
Workers will not take photos.<br />
Parents may bring a reasonable gift for their children.<br />
Social Media<br />
AVENUE is not responsible for photographs or comments<br />
relating to contact, posted on social media sites.<br />
Fees and Cancellations<br />
If you are responsible for the cost of the service, this must<br />
be paid in advance. Payment can be made by phone or in<br />
person at any of our offices. Sessions will be cancelled if<br />
payment is not received 48 hours prior to your contact<br />
session.<br />
Cancelling <strong>Contact</strong><br />
If you wish to cancel a contact session, we require 48 hours<br />
notice or a cancellation fee will be charged. Failure to attend<br />
on the day of contact will result in the full amount being<br />
payable.<br />
If cancelling on the day of contact, please ensure you call<br />
the <strong>Contact</strong> Centre Organiser on the mobile number you<br />
received following your Pre-<strong>Contact</strong> meeting. Our offices are<br />
closed at weekends, please do not call or leave messages.<br />
Help Us To Help Your <strong>Child</strong><br />
<strong>Child</strong>ren’s welfare is always our priority. This booklet has<br />
been designed to help you and your children build and<br />
maintain positive relationships.
Find Out More ...<br />
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relationship counselling<br />
individual counselling<br />
cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)<br />
psychosexual therapy<br />
sex addiction<br />
family mediation<br />
child contact centres<br />
parenting apart<br />
young people’s counselling<br />
play therapy<br />
consulting children<br />
advice and information<br />
member of Relationships Scotland<br />
www.avenue-info.com<br />
01224 587571 ▪ aberdeen@avenue-info.com<br />
01779 490790 ▪ peterhead@avenue-info.com<br />
AVENUE<br />
01343 540801 ▪ elgin@avenue-info.com
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